Libertarians in Nebraska hope to make gains with Johnson leading the ticket (AUDIO)

With two former governors at the top of the ticket, Libertarians in Nebraska expect more voters to consider their candidates this year.

Gary Johnson of New Mexico and William Weld of Massachusetts were nominated at the Libertarian Party convention over the weekend.

Mike Knebel is a former state central committeeman with the Libertarian Party of Nebraska, who now serves as the First Congressional District coordinator.

He says Johnson will attract Republicans voters, and Democrats.

“Where we will differ from the Bernie Sanders supporters and some of the disaffected Democrats is how they want to execute the plans,” Knebel tells Nebraska Radio Network. “So, we’ll explain to them and we’ll show them how involving government more is not the proper solution.”

Knebel says he would not be surprised if Johnson wins at least one of Nebraska’s Electoral College votes, but that depends if he will be included in this fall’s presidential debates.

He says this is a turning point for the Libertarian Party nationally and in Nebraska.

“So many people, coming over to this party now and saying your platform makes sense. I’m willing to support this. This is something that I’ve believed all along and I didn’t realize that I was truly Libertarian, and not Republican or Democrat,” Knebel says. “This is going to be a great year.”

Knebel says Libertarians are using the excitement this year to prepare a full slate of federal and state candidates in 2018.